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Topic: AHL Franchise News (Read 10402 times)

Not Marlies specific, but I've usually posted news about AHL franchise movement in this section of the board.

The Minnesota Wild are moving the Houston Aeros to Des Moines, Iowa for next season. The team has been in Houston since 1994, first in the old IHL then moving over to the AHL in 2001. This will be the 2nd time for Des Moines in the league having hosted the Iowa Stars/Chops for 4 seasons before that team moved to Texas in 2009. Also, the AHL has approved the sale of the Peoria Rivermen from the St. Louis Blues to the Vancouver Canucks. Nothing official, but there is a rumor of the team being moved to Abbotsford to replace the Flames affiliate there, which would move to Utica, NY. The Blues are expected to sign an affiliation with the Chicago Wolves, whose agreement with Vancouver is up after this season.

As expected the Chicago Wolves are the new AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues starting 2013-14 season. Still no official word on what the Canucks will do with the Peoria Rivermen franchise that they just acquired from the Blues.

As expected the Chicago Wolves are the new AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues starting 2013-14 season. Still no official word on what the Canucks will do with the Peoria Rivermen franchise that they just acquired from the Blues.

Have not seen an announcement on where the Canucks will be placing their AHL affiliate next year, but we know it will not be staying in Peoria. The SPHL (think low A ball) has announced that both Peoria and Bloomington, IL will be joining the league next season. The last speculation have the Canucks playing their AHL team out of Vancouver.

Turns out Rogers Arena falls within the AHL territory for Abbotsford so that is out unless the Canucks write a nice big cheque. Utica, NY is the latest city to get some consideration. The city has previously hosted the AHL and is only 55 miles away from Syracuse. Placing the team on ice for a year is still an option, but the least desirable as the players would be spread out across several AHL teams, not to mention the $150k fee involved.

The Canucks have firmed up the plans for their farm team. They will relocate the Peoria Rivermen to Utica NY to play under the name Comets. This marks a return of the AHL to Utica which last hosted a team (Utica Devils) in the 1992-93 season. Expect to see some realignment. The easiest solution would be for Utica and Lake Erie to switch divisions, but nothing official yet from the league.

The AHL has announced the divisions for the 2013-14 season. Turns out they did a bit more shuffling than I had expected. Utica will move from the Midwest to the North. Iowa moves into the Midwest from the West (formerly South). Abbotsford moves from the North to the West. The one move that wasn't made was leaving Charlotte in the West division. It made sense as the South, but the divisional trip from Charlotte to Abbotsford will be a fun one for sure.

I was just coming to post this. Apparently True North has signed on as a partner in a group led by former TSN analyst Gary Green. There's still a few hurdles to clear before a shovel goes in the ground in TBay.

IceCaps COO Glenn Stanford is well connected in AHL circles from his time with the SJML and then Hamilton. CEO Danny Williams was also part of the SJSE board during the Leafs days. They have released a statement saying that they have expected this and have been working on a replacement, which will play under the IceCaps name.

I was just coming to post this. Apparently True North has signed on as a partner in a group led by former TSN analyst Gary Green. There's still a few hurdles to clear before a shovel goes in the ground in TBay.

IceCaps COO Glenn Stanford is well connected in AHL circles from his time with the SJML and then Hamilton. CEO Danny Williams was also part of the SJSE board during the Leafs days. They have released a statement saying that they have expected this and have been working on a replacement, which will play under the IceCaps name.